Philippines impeachment: is path now clear to convict Sara Duterte?

Omitting absent senators cuts the votes needed to oust Sara Duterte-Carpio from 16 to 14, setting up a clash over the court’s legitimacy

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, ruled on Wednesday that only senator-judges who are able to take part in the trial should be counted in determining the threshold for conviction.

Under the Philippine constitution, a two-thirds vote of the Senate is required to convict an impeached official.